Porsche is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the launch of the Porsche Vision 357 Speedster. This new concept car is a closed variant of the Porsche Vision 357, which was the starting point for Porsche's own anniversary celebrations. The Vision 357 Speedster's design pays homage to the iconic Porsche 356, while its technology is based on the 718 GT4 e-Performance model.
During the festival, Porsche presented more than 15 models, including both new models and classics. Among the most prominent is the 356 No. 1 Roadster, the first sports car produced by the brand, as well as six winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The German brand has used the Goodwood Festival of Speed to showcase its automotive heritage, presenting an exciting selection of vehicles that represent the brand's history and excellence.
Porsche Vision 357 Speedster: yes, it's electric
With the Porsche Vision 357 Speedster as one of the highlights, the German marque continues to impress with its dedication to innovation, distinctive design, and exceptional performance.
The Vision 357 Speedster is based on the Porsche 718 GT4 e-Performance. Electric motors and battery technology come from the Mission R; the chassis, from the 718 GT4 Clubsport. After passing through Goodwood, it will be exhibited at this year's Rennsport Reunion, which will be held in the United States at the end of September.
The prototype has the lowered and shortened windshield characteristic of a speedster, which further accentuates the shape of its body. The right side incorporates a tonneau-type cover, in the style of some convertibles of this type. The driver's headrest seems to be suspended in the air thanks to the technically designed carbon roll bar located behind. At the back is the cover for the charging socket and the normal hood anchorage.
The two-tone concept, marble gray and metallic Grivelo grey, is inspired by the historical precursors of motorsport. Like the front fenders that protected against stone chips, the front wings of the 357 Speedster are painted in the darker Grivelo gray metallic. The front wheels are also that color. This is complemented by contrasts in Miami blue, for example on the quick-release mechanisms on the wraparound bonnet.
The anniversary logo, with the large '75' and the two years '1948' and '2023', is in Grivelo gray metallic and Miami blue, a different color from the red trim on the Vision 357 coupe. rear wheels there are comic-style unicorns.
Cameras instead of exterior mirrors
Porsche designers drew this mythological creature specifically for the concept car. They were also the authors of the striking ‘Speedster’ logo. Some cameras replace the exterior mirrors that, as in the classic ancestors, are not located in the doors, but later, in the wheel arches. In the 357 Convertible, they present a new aerodynamically optimized shape reminiscent of wings.
Other details of the exterior design are common to the coupé version: the signature four light points on the front feature a rounded design that evokes the Porsche 356. The rear lights are located behind a set of points milled into the bodywork itself. Another nod to the first Porsche model range is the vertical pattern of the grille at the rear. The third brake light is integrated into the design of that grille.
The width of the tracks gives an impression of stability and favors dynamism. The 20-inch wheels are magnesium and fitted with carbon fiber hubs and center locks. Visually, they are also reminiscent of a legendary Porsche wheel: the 356 A and 356 B with drum brakes had rims with a remarkably large bolt circle of 205 millimeters.
Interior of the Porsche Vision 357 Speedster
The interior is reduced to the essentials and is fully adapted to the driver. The low seating position is the quintessence of sportiness. Its CFRP shell is integrated into the monocoque. The driver sits on Racetex-covered pads and is securely restrained by a Miami blue six-point safety harness.
The instrumentation is located on the steering column, like a transparent surface. The competition steering wheel inspires lightness and the protective padding seems suspended. The individual controls, for their part, adopt the contrasting exterior color Miami blue.
The entire front panel has a carbon-weave finish. As an alternative to a conventional glove box, the Miami blue straps in the upper right section can be used to hold accessories. Simple fabric bands replace conventional door handles, a weight-saving detail derived from racing.
The Vision 357 has shone at Goodwood, but it is by no means the only exclusive model of the sports car manufacturer that will be present at the event. Porsche brought over 15 new and classic cars. Several special vehicles of the brand ascended the famous hill twice a day during the Festival of Speed.
A vintage parade
The illustrious parade was led by the 356 No. 1 Roadster, followed by the 1983 racing 928 Trigema, a Cayenne Transsyberia, a 959, a 911 Turbo S (993), and a very special 911 Carrera S (991). This unique model was the one millionth 911 produced since the iconic sports car's appearance in 1963.
Porsche took advantage of the appointment to celebrate the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After all, the brand holds the record of 19 outright victories. That is why he exhibited three champions in his category and three absolute winners. The protagonists are the 718 W-RS Spyder (winner in the 2.0-litre class in 1961), the 935 Martini (winner of its category in 1976), and the 911 RSR with the “Pink Pig” design (winner in GTE-Pro in 2018 ). The trio of outright winners includes the 936/81 Spyder, the 98 911 GT1, and the 2017 919 Hybrid.
Following their debuts at the 75th anniversary of Porsche sports cars, the 718 Spyder RS and Mission X were presented to the general public for the first time at Goodwood.
The development of the purist roadster, the 718 Spyder RS, was dedicated to maximum driving pleasure on winding country roads. The Mission X concept car is a spectacular reinterpretation of a hypercar, with Le Mans-style doors that open up and forward, and a high-performance, efficient electric powertrain.
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